HIV/AIDS is one of the most important issues that need to be taken care of, since the virus continues to grow in what some people say an endless phenomena in countries such as Indonesia and India.

Yayasan Gaya Dewata was one of the first gay and transgender community led organizations in Indonesia that has been part of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Bali for many years. There are 3 main programs that have been run by YGD:

1.Face-to-face assistance to over 2200 local clients. Linking them to vital community sensitive health services and providing direct assistance such as transportation, skill sharing and education.

2.YGD runs 13 monthly peer support groups to build community support and facilitate community members sharing their concerns and knowledge.

3.Health promotion workers, known as Condom Men/Women, are the public face of the YGD work. They are at the main hotspots of Bali 7 days & nights a week, where they distribute safer sex kits, educate, promote safer sex practices and encourage clients to get tested- meanwhile they made contact with over 10.000 people.

As the numbers of visitors and the rise of sexual transmissed diseases in Bali grow each year, YGD’s clients are not only local people, but actually from all over the Indonesian Archipelago. However, the reduction of funding budgets coming from all around the world have made it increasingly harder for local Indonesian led NGOs to continue their vital work. We were very sad to learn that this NGO, that was founded in 1992 in Denpasar, Bali will lose its core funding by the end of October 2015, while they in fact need more funds –not less!- in order to continue their vital services.

This is why we appeal for your help.

Helping YGD is not only helping to curb the rise in new HIV infections in Bali (which can develop into AIDS when people don’t get tested and go on medical treatment), but all across the 4th most populous nation in the world. These figures show just how vital it is for the gay and the waria community to be actively supported in their own struggle. This is why YGD needs your help in order to continue their fight against HIV/AIDS; please donate today and/or spread the word, because we believe that kindness is powerful!